DE60308929T2 - Apparatus and method for providing information about home networking devices via the Internet - Google Patents

Description

The The present invention relates to an apparatus for communicating device information over a network offer, and in particular, a device to provide information about equipment in a home network through a communications network and a method for doing so.

Home appliances can be divided become an information device group such as As personal computer, a fax machine, a scanner and a Printer, an A / V device group such as B. a TV, a Set-top box, a DVD, a VCR, an audio system, a Camcorder and a home game system, into a controller group such as As a coffee maker, an electric rice cooker, a Fridge, a washing machine, a microwave oven and a camera, and a Dummy devices group such as As a remote control, an intercom, a sensor and a lighting device. These devices come with a subnetwork connected, which is a means of communication such. B. a telephone connection, a wireless LAN, a Bluetooth, USB, IEEE1394 and a power line according to everyone Category includes.

1 is a drawing showing the structure of a general home network.

In relation to 1 are a telephone 120a , a notebook computer 120b , a fax machine 120c and a computer 120d with the telephone connection 120 connected, and these form an independent network. A notebook computer 130a and a PDA 130b are with the wireless LAN or the Bluetooth network 130 connected. A computer 140a , a printer 140b and a scanner 140c are with the USB network 140 connected. The IEEE1394 150 is a communication protocol for A / V devices and a TV 150a , a camcorder 150b and an audio system 150c are associated with this. Control devices such as a coffee machine 160a , an electric rice cooker 160b , a fridge 160c and a washing machine 160d are with a power line 160 connected. These subnets 120 . 130 . 140 . 150 and 160 are all interconnected by connecting devices 170 such as a bridge and form a home network 100 , A gateway 110 has a function as a path connecting the devices in the subnet to the external networks.

However, as the conventional home networks 100 existing networks such. As a telephone connection and a power line and new networks such. As Bluetooth networks and wireless LAN networks use, and these devices are used in various hardware and software platforms, it is not easy to form a home network using a single system. Accordingly, a common virtual computer environment is proposed as a method of structuring a home network, called middleware, which resides between an application program and a computer operating system or a network operating system.

current are many types of middleware structures for a home network proposed. The main structures are control structures that a peer to peer method, java object transfer methods, and special ones Use network media features. However, in terms of the first and the second method while it possible is, devices It is difficult to control in terms of control to offer to the entire home network. In addition, the structure is the special network media function is used, not the structure for the Home network service in relation to all home appliances, but for one home Subnetwork service in relation to specific devices.

meanwhile can These middleware structures do not provide services through the Internet to offer every function. When such middleware structures adapted are, becomes a conversion device or conversion software needed, to convert the data structures in the middle to the services over the Internet offer. However, they only offer a communication function over that Internet on. Therefore, it is not possible the home network information or the information about the devices in the home network to the device of the user connected to the internet, and to provide services requested by the user device based on the information provided.

WHERE 99/57837 relates to a method and apparatus for universal accessible Statement control information in a network. Given is a Method and system for performing a Service in a home network by: connecting a first and a second home appliance with the home network, offering a database, a plurality of application interface description data objects including send control and command data from the first home device to the second home device, and sending control and instruction data from the second home device to the first home device.

US 2002/029256 refers to an XML-based template language for devices and services. A universal plug-and-play device advertises itself following the discovery of such a UPNP device, an entity can learn more about the device and its capabilities by querying the device description. This description includes vendor-specific manufacturer information such as the model name and number, serial number, vendor name, URLs to vendor-specific web pages, etc. The description is written by a vendor and is usually based on a device template. The template language is written using an XML-based syntax.

OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

The The object of the present invention is to provide a device for the providing of control means, not just for equipment in the home network but also for the devices themselves, and providing them of device information about the equipment in the home network to the user device connected to the Internet via a Network is connected, and a method for this.

Around To achieve the above object is the device for the provision of device information via a Network according to claim 1 constructed.

preferred Way, the message processing unit issues a query message out for querying whether the home appliance is in an active mode or not and refreshes the device information home appliances, which is stored in the storage device based on one through the household appliance received response message to the query message.

preferred Way includes the device for the provision from device information via a Network continues to be an information management unit, which additional Information including location information and / or identification information of the household appliance, received by a user and the additional information received the message processing unit provides when the household appliance logs, and wherein the message processing unit the additional Request information to the information management unit when the logon request message is received from the home device.

The Main information includes device type information, including a device type, a serial number, a manufacturer, and a device ID assigned to the home device is.

Around To accomplish the task involves a method of making available from device information via a Network the steps according to claim 7th

preferred Way, the step (a) further includes the step (a1) of adding additional Information including location information or by the user input identification information of the household appliance to the Device information. In step (a1), if the additional information is not from the user is received within a predetermined time is the additional Information added a default value to the device information.

preferred Way includes the method of providing device information via a Network further comprises a step (c1) for granting access by the User, based on a user-entered user ID and password Step (d) and Step (d) are performed when granted the user's access is. Furthermore, the access authorization of the user is identified and there will be another access right to the user in step (c1) and the device information of the home device becomes disposal provided according to the access authorization, given to the user in step (d).

The Object of the present invention is solved by the independent claims.

preferred embodiments are in the dependent claims described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The the aforementioned object and feature of the present invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred embodiment the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a drawing showing a conventional home network structure;

2 Fig. 12 is a drawing showing a home network structure having a device for providing device information through a network according to the present invention;

3 Figure 12 is a drawing showing a protocol stack for a home network using middleware;

4 Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a device for providing device information through a network according to the present invention;

5 Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of registering device information in the database;

6 FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of polling devices connected to the home network,

7 Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of providing information about devices in a home network to remote devices connected to the home network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

hereafter becomes a preferred embodiment of the present invention described in detail with respect to accompanying drawings. Same reference numerals in the drawings show the same structural elements.

2 Fig. 10 is a drawing showing a home network structure having a device for providing device information through a network according to the present invention.

In relation to 2 the entire network includes an external network and a home network 260 , The external network has an external DNS server 210 who is using the internet 230 connected, and a remote device 1 220 and an external home network 240 , The external home network 240 is with a remote device 2 250 connected.

The external DNS server 210 stores registered public IP addresses that are currently the home network URL 260 and the home network 260 through a master server 262 are assigned, and thereby the connection to the home network 260 from the external network 240 allows.

The home network 260 includes the master server 262 , a WAN module 264 , an IEEE1394 module 266 , a Bluetooth module 268 , a wlan module 270 , a HomePNA module 272 and an Ethernet module 273 , Every module of 264 to 273 is with the master server 262 connected via a bus.

The WAN (Wide Area Network) module 264 , the IEEE1394 module 266 , the Bluetooth module 268 , the wireless local area network (wLAN) module 270 , the HomePNA module 272 and the Ethernet module 273 provide means for receiving data from the devices that communicate through each protocol or transmit data to the associated devices. The detailed description of the communications between each module and the devices associated with the associated modules will be omitted as it is known to those skilled in the art.

Likewise, the home network has 260 an IP subnetwork 280 and a non-IP subnetwork 282 , The IP subnetwork 280 consists of intelligent devices, ie a local device 1 290 , and the non-IP subnetwork 282 consists of non-intelligent devices, ie a non-local device 2 292 such as a dummy device. The dummy devices have no self-control and are devices such. As an electric light, a door and a washing machine, which operate according to simple principles.

The basic protocol within the home network 260 uses the TCP / IP and identifies all nodes in the home network 260 by IP addresses as a method of assigning a particular node to an environment in which a number of nodes are connected by a network.

The master server 262 is an access node to the home network 260 enabled to connect to an external network, e.g. B. another external home network 240 or the internet 230 , to communicate. This is why in the master server 262 the conversion between a private IP address allocated in the home network device and a global IP address used in the external network such as the Internet.

The master server 262 Edits data transmitted from or to each module. Likewise, the master server offers 262 Information about devices through a network. To do this, the master server manages 262 the information about the devices in the home network 260 and offers the information about the registered devices by responding to a request for information about the devices. In addition, since the master server 262 The private IP addresses managed by the devices on the home network 260 All nodes in the home network can be assigned 260 Exchange information regardless of the network media interface. Furthermore, the master server allows 262 the communication between the home network 260 and the external device by registering the global IP address, which is the URL of the home network 260 and the home network 260 is assigned to the external DNS server 210 , The master server 262 which assumes the function of a gateway is disclosed in the drawing and the above description, but the gateway can also be by one of the master server 262 be provided separate device.

The master server 262 has a DNS server (not shown) and a DHCP server (not shown).

The DNS server provides a host name to a device on the home network 260 at. Of the Host name of the device in the home network 260 may be given by a user or may be an initial value name that is predetermined to give the device a functional meaning. If the same default name already exists, numbers are appended. The host name is used to request an assignment of a private IP address of the device to the DHCP. DHCP provides a separate identifier, ie a private IP address, for devices on the home network 260 at. The function of such a DNS server may be performed by the information management unit which will be described later. In this case, the DNS server and the DHCP can be removed.

The proxy server 274 converts the services at the application layer to transfer those services to the non-IP node using the IP network. The proxy server 274 enables each device to have a private IP address assigned by the DHCP server to each device (hereafter referred to as a non-IP device) connected to the non-IP subnet 282 Connected to this device, which is not TCP / IP in the home network 260 supports, connect.

In addition, the proxy server is 274 aware of the state of the non-IP node. In other words, the proxy manages 274 Information about the status of non-IP nodes as to whether they are on or not, or whether they are in the home network 260 inserted or not. Furthermore, the proxy server manages 274 private IP addresses assigned to the non-IP devices and information about the ratio between the private IP addresses of a number of non-IP devices and their hardware addresses. Such a proxy server 274 can be disconnected from the master server 262 be provided and the master server 262 can be the function of the proxy server 274 take.

The devices in the home network 260 are defined as service clients when they request a connection to other devices and are defined as a service server when the connection is requested by other devices. The service server awaits a request from a service customer with the self-provided access point, which is open, and is connected when the request of the service customer is made.

The devices connected to the home network 260 may be either service servers or service customers according to a connection request and a connection grant. This is because the decision as to whether the devices are service customers or service servers is made according to a condition for each device in the home network 260 , In other words, if a device is connected to the DHCP and requires an assignment of a private IP address, that device becomes a service customer and the DHCP becomes a service server. However, if a device operates according to another device request, that device becomes a service server.

The interface of the service server and the service customer is divided into a direct interface and an indirect interface. The direct interface is a service server and a service customer that directly provide and receive a piece of data through an IP network, and the indirect interface is the offering and receiving of data by a proxy server 274 between a service server and a service customer in the case that the service server is a non-IP node.

3 Figure 13 is a drawing showing a protocol stack of a home network using middleware.

The Middleware is a software for Communication between devices in different categories and allows the devices in to communicate to a home network. The middleware is located between an operating system and an application program and connects transparent the distributed applications and data of the client server environment.

In addition is the middleware through a network connected to the hardware independently, numerous communication protocols, system structures, operating systems, Database and application programs.

The Middleware has a Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) as a backbone network and works with other protocol stacks, such as B. User Datagram Protocol (UDP) using a separate Conversion unit.

4 Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of a device providing device information through a network according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the case where the master server 262 As a device for providing device information through a network as an example, a remote device for offering services may be separate from the master server 262 be provided.

In relation to 4 includes the master server 262 a message processing unit 410 . an information generation unit 420 , an information management unit 430 , a data processing unit 440 and a database 450 ,

The message processing unit 410 processes messages from the master server 262 be input and output. The message processing unit 410 is connected to a service customer 460 and a service server 470 , The detailed description of the function and structure of a service customer 460 and the service server 470 is omitted here, since these are the same as already described in the description.

The message processing unit 410 has the function of informing about the devices in the home network 260 to register, ie announce and a function of polling the accessable devices. When the message processing unit 410 an application request message from the home appliance 460 . 470 receives the information of home appliances 460 . 470 which is contained in the received registration request message in the database 450 stored after a conversion according to the data structure that manages the home information. The message processing unit 410 also detects additional information of an associated device, which by the information management unit 430 is given at the time of acquiring the basic information. The login request message is in an XML format and includes the basic information of the associated device, a service list, a state parameter list, etc. The basic information includes the IP address of the associated device and type, such as the IP address. Device type, serial number, manufacturer, model, etc.

In addition, the registration request message includes a group of service interfaces to service the associated devices. The message processing unit 410 For example, information about the functions of the associated devices can be offered to a user using the service interface group, and if the service offers such a function, a remote call can be performed using the location information related to the function contained in the interface.

Meanwhile, when the information of home appliances 460 . 470 is detected, the status parameter list is also recorded. The status parameter list contains all information about the status information, which is required by the associated devices. The message processing unit 410 maintains the relationship of the status parameters relevant to the service by linking the position of the status parameters required by the service with references to the status parameter list.

Of the Status parameter, which is different from a "true" value, is closely related to an event message. In other words, in the case when a "true" value is needed, the real value becomes from the associated Device under Use of location information requested.

The information generation unit 420 generates dynamically updated information based on the data in the database 450 are stored, and provide them to the device having the user interface in response to the information delivery request of the device containing the user interface in the home network 260 and in the internet 230 wears. "Dynamic" means creating a new formatted record by processing the logically based data 24 produces information in a web document format. Such an information generation unit 420 performs a function of an ad server in connection with the message requested by the internet.

The information management unit 430 provides additional information of a device, such as location information of the device and the device identification name within the home network 260 , The additional information is entered by a web user when the device is detected. If no additional information is input by the user, the information generating unit generates 430 the additional information. The device does not manage the additional information, but the information management unit 430 does this. The information management unit 430 can perform a function of a DNS server using the location information and the identification name of the device. The types of the device included in the basic information designate a category to which a device belongs, such as a device. A DVD player DVDP or a high-definition television HDTV. The identification name denotes a unique code or name that identifies the device within the network.

The data processing unit 440 processes a transaction of the data stored in the database 450 are stored. The data processing unit 440 includes an XML parser, as the structure of the stored data in the database 450 consists of XML. In addition, the data processing unit provides 440 an interface to query processing using a data access parser of the transaction between the information generation unit 420 and the information management unit 430 takes place, to enable.

Database 450 stores information like z. B. Characteristic information and additional information about the devices in the home network 260 , The data stored in the database 450 are managed by XML to facilitate the connection to the Internet, to preserve the semantics and to accommodate the many forms of queries.

5 Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the process of collecting device information in a database.

In relation to 5 requests the service server 470 , z. B. a video recorder with the home network 260 the logon in the message processing unit 410 (S500). At the time of the logon request, the message includes which of the service server 470 to the message processing unit 410 was transmitted, characteristic information as well as a type of the device and the manufacturer. The message processing unit 410 requests additional information about the device at the information management unit 430 (S510). The information management unit 430 provides additional information to the message processing unit 410 (S520). The information management unit 430 Outputs an additional information input screen to the home browser and receives the additional information such as a message. B. location information, z. As a main room, a lounge or kitchen, the associated device and a unique name, eg. VCR1 or VCR2. If no input is made by the user, the information management unit generates 430 a default value and generates the additional information. The message processing unit 410 converts the characteristic information and the additional information of the device that requested the registration into a database schema and transmits the characteristic information and the additional information to the data processing unit 440 , The data processing unit 440 captures the received characteristic information and the additional information in the database 450 (S540).

6 Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of polling the devices connected to the home network.

In relation to 6 asks the message generation unit 410 a list of in the database 450 registered devices at the data processing unit 440 according to a request signal which is input periodically (S600). The data processing unit 440 reads the list of registered devices from the database 450 (S610). The read device list becomes the message processing unit 410 transferred (S620). The message processing unit 410 transmits a request message based on the received device list to each device (S630). The request message includes request information of the current status of each device, such as whether the device is on or off. The message processing unit 410 checks, by using the query message, whether each device is in an active mode or not. The devices that received the request message send back a response message. The message processing unit 410 Receives the device information of the devices that received the response message and removes the information of the devices from the database 450 for the devices that did not receive the reply message.

7 Figure 13 is a flow chart showing the process of providing information about the devices in a home network to remote devices connected to the home network.

In relation to 7 A remote user connects to the home network 260 using the remote device 1 220 which with the internet 230 and then asks for information about the devices on the home network 260 on (S700). During this process, the master server performs 262 A certification process for the remote user to communicate with the master server 262 connect to. The detailed description of a user certification technology is omitted here, as those skilled in the art can easily obtain this information via such a technology. Meanwhile, the remote user is allowed to access only the master server 262 which acts as a device agent by the remote device 220 acts. Thus, each remote user can be given an access authorization, having different access restrictions. For example, a particular user may be granted access only to the devices in the main room. The information associated with the user certification is in the database 450 and the process of user certification is performed in a separate user certification unit (not shown). Hereinafter, the description will be based on the case where the remote user has access permission to all devices in the home network 260 got.

The message processing unit 410 requests information from the information production unit 420 after interpreting the information request message received from the remote device 1 220 was received (S710), on. The information request message includes a request for overall information about the devices in the home network 260 , The information request message may also be a request from Infor information about a specific device in the home network 260 include. If there is a demand for all the information about the devices in the home network 260 is received, the information generating unit 420 a list containing the devices, basic information and additional information from the data processing unit 440 request (S720). In step S720, when the request for information about a particular device in the home network 260 was received, the information generation unit asks 420 Basic information and additional information about the associated device at the data processing unit 440 at.

The data processing unit 440 reads the information from the database 450 (S730) and supplies them to the information generation unit 420 , The information provided by the data processing unit 440 to the information generation unit 420 is an XML document. The information generation unit 420 converts the received XML documents into an HTML document and delivers them to the remote user 1 220 (S750).

According to the device for the Delivering device information via a Network and method for this, based on the present invention, Is it possible, to develop intelligent network services, such as B. a remote control or remotely managing the Internet by offering information about the Internet equipment in a home network not by any device but by a separate one Contraption. additionally can remote users have different access permissions by ensuring the independence between home appliances and remote devices, the credibility of Systems can be improved by filtering incorrect access, because the access of the remote device, which is different from the Internet connects to the home network, is only granted until a device information delivery unit as an agent of each device acts. Furthermore, a user can easily use the home network service by offering the device information in a dynamically generated web document format to the remote Users use.

Even though the preferred embodiment the person skilled in the art, that the present invention should not be limited to those described preferred embodiment. Many changes and modifications can are made within the scope of the present invention, such as these by the attached claims are defined.

Claims (11)

A device for providing device information over a network, said network consisting of intelligent IP subnetwork devices ( 290 ) and non-intelligent non-IP subnetwork devices ( 292 ), said network comprising: - a message processing unit ( 410 ) adapted to convert device information of a home appliance to a logon request message into a database schema; A memory unit adapted to store the converted device information of the domestic appliance; A data processing unit ( 440 ) adapted to process a transaction of the device information in an Internet voice format stored in the storage device in response to an information request of the home device; and an information generation unit ( 420 ) adapted to device information in a web page format based on the data processing unit ( 440 ) to generate received device information in the Internet voice format and adapted to the generated device information in the web page format to the message processing unit ( 410 ) when a request for information is made by the user; and an information management means adapted to provide information about the state of the non-IP subnetworks to have status information available to all devices included in the network. The device for that available set of device information about The network of claim 1, wherein the Internet voice format is an XML format is. The device for providing device information over a network of claim 1, wherein the message processing unit ( 410 ) is adapted to output a query message to query whether the home device is in an active mode or not, and adjusted for the device information of the home device stored in the memory unit based on a response message to the query message obtained from the home device, to renew. The device for providing device information over a network of claim 1, further comprising an information management unit ( 430 ) adapted to receive additional information containing at least one location information or identification information from a user and adapted to pass the obtained additional information to the message processing unit (12). 410 ) if that Home appliance is registered and wherein the message processing unit ( 410 ), additional information from the information management unit ( 430 ) when the application request message is received from the domestic appliance. The device for that available set of device information about The network of claim 1, wherein the device information is at least one Basic information, a service list or a state parameter of the household appliance includes. The device for that available set of device information about The network of claim 1, wherein the basic information is device type information includes, which at least device type, serial number or manufacturer and a device identification number, the device assigned. A method for providing device information via intelligent IP subnetwork devices ( 290 ) and non-intelligent non-IP subnetwork devices ( 292 ) via a network, including the steps of: (a) obtaining, for intelligent IP subnetwork devices, device information from the home device that includes basic information, a service list and a state parameter list of the home device created in an Internet language format; for non-intelligent non-IP subnetwork devices, adapted from device information by an information management means to provide information generated in an Internet language format, including basic information and a state parameter list of the home device, about the state of the non-intelligent devices; (b) converting the device information into a predetermined database schema and storing the converted device information; (c) receiving a request to provide the device information; (d) converting a format of the requested device information into a web page format and providing the requested device information in the web page format to the user. The procedure for that available set of device information about The network of claim 7, wherein step (a) further comprises the step includes: Add (a1) from additional Information which at least one location information or identification information, entered by a user includes to the device information. The procedure for that available set of device information about The network of claim 8, wherein in step (a1), if the additional information is not received by the user in a predetermined time, the additional Information having a predetermined value to the device information added becomes. The procedure for that available set of device information about The network of claim 7 further including the step of: (C1) Grant the user's access based on the user before step (d) entered user identification and password, and wherein step (d) is performed when the access of the User was granted. The procedure for that available set of device information about The network of claim 10, wherein different users have a different Access authorization, based on the entered user identification and the password, is given and the device information of the household appliance according to the User provided in step (d) given access authorization becomes.